Whittier kicker Jose Estrada raises his arm after making the game wining field goal against Pioneer during the second half of a prep football game at California High School in Whittier, Calif. on Thursday October 26, 2017. Whittier defeated Pioneer 11-10. (Photo by contributor Raul Romero Jr)

WHITTIER — Whittier High School’s Jose Estrada had never kicked a field goal coming into Thursday night’s Del Rio League game against Pioneer.

With Cardinals starting kicker Joshua Carranza not in uniform for the team’s home game against the Titans because of a recruiting trip, coach Visko Ancich had no other choice but to go with Estrada.

Although the first-year football player had no prior experience going into the 20-yard attempt with 6:47 remaining in the game, Estrada got just enough on the kick to get the ball to split the uprights.

“It was big,” Ancich said. “You saw him go out there. His shirt’s untucked …that was a little nerve-wracking because he doesn’t have that much game experience. But he came through. Pressure was on him, team was riding on his shoulders and he did a great job. Great kick right down the pipe.”

The Cardinals previously scored on a 14-yard jet sweep run by wide receiver Keith Harris in the first quarter.

After that, Pioneer’s defense found a way to shut down Whittier’s offense.

“They mixed it up on their front, they did a good job of creating a good wall, getting parallel at the line of scrimmage,” Ancich said. “It was pretty frustrating for our guys with the results. They stymied most of our drives. It was frustrating but our guys came through when it counted.”

Pioneer got a pair of opportunities to take the lead after Estrada’s kick.

Titans quarterback Nathan Ruano hit receiver Seth Eaton on the ensuing possession for a 13-yard gainer on the series’ first play. But as he was going down, Eaton lost control of the football and Whittier recovered.

Pioneer coach Chuck Willig’s team got one last crack at taking a lead after forcing the Cardinals to punt.

The Titans (3-6, 0-4) had 80 yards to drive to end zone or at least get kicker Guillermo Lopez, who hit a 26-yard field goal in the second quarter, in decent position to hit a field goal with 4:29 remaining.

It appeared like Pioneer was going to be able to do that. However, an intentional grounding call on third down made it fourth-and-long with less than 20 seconds remaining, forcing Ruano to take one least heave into the end zone.

Unfortunately for Pioneer, Runao’s pass was batted down and Whittier prevailed.

“There was only 20 seconds, it was fourth down, we had to try and take a shot in the end zone,” Willig said. “We were out of options at that point. We had to take a shot.

“Our defense played their butts off. They kept making plays drive after drive.”